Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are one of the most in-form clubs in the competition at the moment. They are just two points off Manchester United in the 2nd place in the points table and will look to put pressure on the Red Devils when they welcome Newcastle United to Anfield this weekend. Fresh from a 4-1 win over West Ham, the Reds will look to take the Magpies to the cleaners but Rafa Benitez’s side have proven hard to beat at times this season and are expected to put in a tough fight.
Newcastle United have picked up six points from their last four league games and nicked a point off Liverpool in the reverse fixture, earlier this season. But Liverpool have a comfortable second leg against Porto late in the week and will look to go for the kill this weekend. Here is the predicted lineup Klopp might field for this tie:
Team News:
For the first time this season, the Reds have a fully fit squad to chose from with even Nathaniel Clyne available for selection.
Expected lineup (4-3-3):
Defence:
German ace Loris Karius is slowly putting in some effective performances and should keep his place under the bar this weekend. Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk remain Klopp’s first choice CB partnership and they will hope to have a comfortable time, against a Newcastle United attack that has been struggling for most of the season.
Andrew Robertson has cemented his place at left-back and should start there in this game while Trent Alexandre-Arnold might be given a break, with Joe Gomez returning to the right-back spot.
Midfield:
Jordan Henderson is now fit and ready to take the field. He should start in the deepest role against Rafa Benitez’s side. Georginio Wijnaldum has missed out on the last couple of games but has been effective at Anfield and is expected to be back in action in the midfield in this game.
Adam Lallana has not yet been able to start regularly since his injury but could start this game, adding some creativity to the midfield.
Attack:
The Reds have put the UCL tie against FC Porto well out of the reach of their Portuguese opponents. So they can afford to play their strongest attack and should start with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane on either wing with Roberto Firmino leading the attack.
Here is how they might line up:
